Sr. Manager, Operations
About The Position
We’re building the largest food manufacturing facility in our network, a bold investment that will set new standards for scale, technology, and efficiency. This is a rare opportunity to play a critical role to build a site from the ground up, shaping the people strategy, culture, and operations that will power our future. We’re looking for a builder. Someone who thrives in fast-moving, ambiguous environments and brings an entrepreneurial mindset. This role requires agility, curiosity, and a hands-on approach. You’ll be solving problems in real time, building processes from scratch, and creating a high-performing, engaged workforce from day one. If you’re driven by impact, ownership, and results, this is your chance to leave a lasting mark. The Senior Operations Manager is responsible for daily operations and enforces standards of Safety, Food Safety, Quality, and Productivity of the Itasca Factory. The Senior Operations Manager ensures compliance with Ferrara quality and food safety policies, procedures, and applicable standards while overseeing day-to-day production and people management.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Management, or related field
- Minimum 7 years of experience in operations management in food manufacturing
- Previous experience leading continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment
- Experience leading and developing a team of both hourly and salaried employees in a manufacturing environment (experience working with non-union employees a plus)
- Experience in a work environment with extended work schedules and specific time constraints; flexibility with 24-hour responsibility of plant operations
- LEAN/Six Sigma experience
- Data tracking management system knowledge (e.g. Redzone)
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Demonstrated experience aligning people, process, and structure with ways of working, leadership behaviors, and values that yield a strong, high-performance culture
- Strong communication skills
- Adept at building relationships and maintaining a culture of growth, progress, and collaboration
- Operating knowledge of manufacturing equipment
- Leadership skills with ability to motivate and strengthen team and maintain standards of quality
- Fluency operating in a highly digital environment and/or managing digital transformation
Responsibilities
- Oversee day-to-day production activities of finished goods to ensure smooth and efficient plant operation
- Monitor safety, quality, and sanitation standards to ensure compliance with company standards
- Ensure compliance of plant Quality Control programs to meet all Food Safety/Quality objectives in process reliability, product quality, product standards, specifications, and consumer complaint reductions.
- Monitor operations, evaluate operation efficiencies, and correct errors in a timely manner
- Emphasize Continuous Improvement processes in all aspects of plant operation.
- Analyze and recommend improvements and modifications to improve overall plant operation efficiencies, quality, costs, safety, and sanitation
- Develop and maintain key results and performance standards; conduct performance evaluations
- Provide guidance, support, and coaching assistance as appropriate to maximize plant effectiveness and maximize operational effectiveness by regular communication with all support functions
- Participate in long-term strategic planning, identifying and defining issues affecting performance and making corrective action plans as well as forecasting expenditures and meeting budgetary requirements
- Prepare reports documenting departmental activities
- Assumes Plant Director responsibilities as needed
Benefits
- paid time off (PTO)
- annual bonus based on company performance
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
